Canadian Video Collaboration Network

What is Canada Video Collaboration Network (CVCN)?

The Canadian Video Collaboration Network is a video technology infrastructure that supports high quality video interaction between members of municipalities and associations. The network began as a pilot in an effort to foster productive collaboration and innovation amongst select Canadian municipalities. The Canadian Video Collaboration Network is built on Cisco video technologies and operated by ET Group.

Canada ranks 14th in the World for productivity and innovation. Collaboration, partnerships, and connecting people with ideas and stakeholders are the keys to Canadas economic and social prosperity, and rise to the top in productivity and innovation.

The Canadian Video Collaboration Network provides the platform for Mayors, municipal decision makers and industry to collaborate face-to-face using high-quality video. In addition to one-to-one meetings, the network also allows for group meetings and virtual roundtables to continue to foster dialogue and innovation amongst those who care for the success of Canada and its municipalities.

Testimonials

"Video conferencing opens up a window of opportunity to meet and collaborate with my peers across the country. There are so many exciting and innovative initiatives going on in other municipalities. Joining the Canadian Video Collaboration Network allows me to tap into those with other Canadian leaders on a face to face basis, without having to leave my office. That's a Win / Win for ensuring Newmarket's innovative growth and for efficiently managing the tax-payers' dollars!"

Tony Van Bynen, Mayor of Newmarket Ontario

How Canadian Video Collaboration Network Works

The Canadian Video Collaboration Network is available in simple and scalable subscription packages. A variety of monthly packages allows municipalities, associations, and leaders concerned with the success of Canada access to a leading-edge video bridging technology.

Through direct-dialing or establishing a video "room", members can instantly communicate over high definition video with peers, colleagues, and anyone else on the video network or at any of Cisco's offices around the world – allowing access to a global network of thought leaders and likeminded communities and businesses.

How to use the network with a desktop video end-point:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: If I already have a video conferencing system, can I talk to the network?
A: Depending on the make and year of the system, you can likely be integrated and added to the network. You will still need to purchase the basic subscription service and will be charged an additional integration fee.

Q: How do I get my association to sign up for this network in order to enhance its communications with the members and board?
A: Contact Cisco or ET Group for a demo and conversation on the benefits for your association and special entry-pricing and promotions.

Q: How much bandwidth am I going to need to get the best possible experience?
A: We recommend you use 5MB down and at least 2MB up; but higher speeds are readily available and highly recommended. If you have less than 2MB /1MB respectively, you may not experience the best quality for high definition video interactions. The web-version (Cisco WebEx with video) may be the answer for you to interact with those on the network.

Q: Is there any other cost above and beyond the cost outlined in the sign-up page?
A: If your organization or home has sufficient bandwidth, you will not need to incur any additional cost. Hardware, software, maintenance, and monthly cost for access and usage of the video network are all included in the pricing structure outlined in the sign-up page.

Q: How many people (end-points) can attend a video session at any given time?
A: When you use the "meeting rooms" on the video network, you can collaborate with as many as 1,000 participants at one time.

Q: Can I buy video end-points anywhere, and only sign up for the service?
A: Yes, please contact your own IT department or local Cisco representative and we can assist you in finding the best possible end-point solution for you. You will still need to pay for the recurring subscription fee to get access to the video network and communicate with your peers and colleagues.

ET Group focuses on providing innovative solutions for companies looking to improve their ability to collaborate. The company brings a fresh view to the digital computing world, with communication technologies in Voice, Video and Data, that come together seamlessly in todays collaboration spaces.

ET Group manages the video network and is preferred provider for hardware video end-points into the Video Collaboration Network.

True sustainable value of the network is achieved when usage is maximized. In addition to one-to-one impromptu meetings, the network is used to host board meetings and team meetings within member associations and municipalities.

Cisco and its partners will provide regular content through dynamic virtual executive roundtables.

The following are content providers for the network. Please visit their respective websites for details and programming.

"The Town's ability to participate in video conferencing allows for the potential of greater flexibility in attending meetings for senior staff. I was recently able to sit on a panel of experts at a conference located
across the country; I was in Newmarket and the panel was presenting in Vancouver. I was brought into the session via video. The audience and I were able to interact perfectly, as if I was there in person. Without video conferencing, I would not have been able to contribute to the conversation."

Susan Chase, Director, Information Technology, Town of Newmarket

"Video conferencing opens up a window of opportunity to meet and collaborate with my peers across the country. There are so many exciting and innovative initiatives going on in other municipalities. Joining the Canadian Video Collaboration Network allows me to tap into those with other Canadian leaders on a face to face basis, without having to leave my office. That's a Win / Win for ensuring Newmarket's innovative growth and for efficiently managing the tax-payers' dollars!"

Tony Van Bynen, Mayor of Newmarket Ontario

"In just a few years, Stratford has grown from a cultural hotbed into one of the most intelligent communities in the world, ranking in the top 7 of global connected communities. At the core of this growth is our understanding and adoption of new methods of collaboration. We think and work differently. By using something as simple as videoconferencing, we were able to collaborate with peers more efficiently and stay ahead of the game by truly transforming Stratford into a living lab of intelligent community space."

Dan Mathieson, Mayor of Stratford

Video collaboration is the next frontier for improvements in productivity and innovation. The use of video for collaboration is inevitable. Already, 91% of all consumer traffic on the Internet is caused by video. When we effectively connect decision makers, municipal stakeholders, private sector leadership and institutional leadership via the new Canadian Video Collaboration Network-and consequently improve how we share, communicate and collaborate-Canada will rise in the ranks of global collaboration, innovation and leadership, and all its constituents and business will thrive and prosper.

SAVE TO INVEST…eliminate operating cost while enhancing municipal and inter-departmental collaboration; and re-invest in the productivity and innovation of your community instead.

Improve speed of decision making

Have impromptu "live" meetings with people across a distributed network

Participate in face-to-face video meetings at the comfort of your own office or home